Community reacts to potential Boise short-term rental ordinance

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Thinking about turning your home into an Airbnb? You'll want to attend Tuesday's Boise City Council meeting.

The Boise City Council is holding a hearing on a possible short-term rental ordinance at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The ordinance proposed by Boise Mayor Lauren McLean would require a license for Boise short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO.

The change would require anyone running a short-term rental in the city to provide the name, contact information, and proof of liability insurance for all owners of the property, regardless of whether they live in Idaho or not.

"People are struggling to afford a home in Boise, and this is one of many tools the city is creating to help ensure there is a home for everyone. I have heard the concerns about the impacts of short-term rentals on neighborhoods and the rental market. This protects the public welfare and safety along with the integrity of our neighborhoods in which these short-term rentals operate," the mayor said in a press release.

Short-term rentals have been a divided issue within the community.

"What we do have a concern with is these investor short-term rentals some by people who don't even live in Idaho," said Chris Runyan, a contributor to the 'Protect Boise Neighborhoods' website and social media.

Runyan says some people are concerned short-term rentals are keeping out locals from getting housing.

"Currently if an investor buys a property, they can essentially decide to do a long-term or short-term rental. the long-term is going to provide a house for someone to live who works here right? When it goes to short-term rental it's really for a tourist, someone who is out of our neighborhood in a couple of days," Runyan said.

Runyan says the city of Boise's proposed regulations for short-term rentals is a good step, but he wants to see a couple of things added. This includes notifying neighbors of short-term rentals nearby,

"I have two small boys so I would like to not have them not to go near short-term rentals, so having a small plaque there that I can tell them don't go there to sell raffle tickets I think that would be a reasonable thing to ask," Runyan said.

He also would prefer individual permits for short-term rentals and properties to disclose if it's a primary residence.

The proposed ordinance does not specify how much a license would cost to obtain. If this passes, the amount would be set by the Boise City Council.

CBS 2 reached out to several realtors for a reaction. They expect to comment after the Boise City Council meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Critics of similar regulations in other cities have argued its a violation of private property rights.

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